BHUBANESWAR: Heavy rain lashed several parts of Odisha over the past 24 hours as a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal became well-marked, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday.The weather agency issued a red warning for Odisha, forecasting very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across several parts of the state.The national weather agency in its morning message said, “The well-marked low-pressure area over North Bay of Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh-West Bengal coast moved northwestwards. It is likely to continue to move northwestwards across Gangetic West Bengal towards Jharkhand and may concentrate into a depression during the next 12 hours.”A depression is a weather system that is stronger than a low-pressure area but less intense than a tropical cyclone.While issuing a red warning for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in Odisha on Thursday, the IMD said Gangetic West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand were also likely to be affected by the ongoing wet spell triggered by the low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.In view of the weather conditions, the IMD advised fishermen not to venture into the North Bay of Bengal and along the Odisha-West Bengal-Bangladesh coast until August 14.According to the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, Bhograi in Balasore district recorded the highest rainfall of 236 mm, followed by 230 mm at Shyamakhuntam, 215 mm at Baripada in Mayurbhanj district and 204 mm at Rajghat in Balasore district.According to news agency PTI, Balasore town recorded 137 mm of rainfall by 5.30 am on Thursday, the highest in the state during the period.Reports of very heavy rainfall were also received from the Similipal Hills in Mayurbhanj district.The heavy rains in Mayurbhanj have led to a rise in the water levels of the Budhabalanga and Jalaka rivers in Balasore district. A large part of Balasore town is also experiencing waterlogging, an official said.Meanwhile, in the wake of the heavy rainfall since last night, the authorities declared the closure of all educational institutions in Mayurbhanj district on Thursday.A district administration notification directed all headmasters, headmistresses, principals and teachers to report to their respective schools as usual and inform students and their parents or guardians about the closure through available communication channels, including class WhatsApp groups, phone calls and SMS.The Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, said winds along the Odisha coast could reach 30-40 kmph under the influence of the low-pressure system.Residents have been advised to remain alert during thunderstorms and lightning and follow weather advisories issued by the authorities.(With agency inputs)
